But the Londoners' second victory in a row at the Theatre of Dreams shows that although they are unlikely to win the title themselves, they can still have a sizeable effect on the outcome.

Spurs were thumped 6-0 by Manchester City in November on their last visit to Manchester, but Wednesday's result is further evidence that Sherwood could be the right man to lead Tottenham forward despite the new boss, who is in his first managerial role, admitting he represented "a gamble".

Adebayor, who was sidelined by former manager Andre Villas-Boas, has been given a new lease of life under ex-Spurs midfielder Sherwood and the forward played a key role in the win.

Like London buses

Tottenham went 26 games without beating Manchester United at Old Trafford but have now won twice in succession there.

David Moyes's United side had Wayne Rooney back from injury and had chances to equalise late on, as well as several penalty appeals, but the defeat ended a six-game winning run.

Many observers have claimed that United's recent form has shown they are back on track under Moyes after a stuttering start to the season, but this loss keeps them 11 points behind leaders Arsenal and with six defeats in 20 matches, their title chances are hanging by a thread.

The hosts had plenty of energy at each end of the match yet, after Lloris saved Chris Smalling's early shot, it was Spurs who created the better openings.

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Man Utd 1-2 Tottenham: Tim Sherwood says Spurs exploited weaknesses

Aaron Lennon was denied by David De Gea after a clever Roberto Soldado pass and smart work from Adebayor, and the Togo forward also held the ball up well to create another opportunity later in the first half, but Soldado skewed his shot wide at the back post from Lennon's cross.

In between those two chances Adebayor was more composed in front of goal. A flowing Spurs move allowed Eriksen to cross from the left after 34 minutes and Adebayor nodded back across De Gea and into the bottom corner.

United failed to inspire the crowd early in the second period but the home supporters did make the most of the first of two penalty appeals when Welbeck appeared to be tripped by Vlad Chiriches.

And the United fans slumped further into their seats when Eriksen headed in from close range to double Spurs' lead after Lennon's shot was deflected by Nemanja Vidic's block.

The two-goal advantage only lasted a minute though, as Welbeck flicked the ball past Loris from Adnan Januzaj's clever through ball.

That transformed the atmosphere, with the crowd roundly booing Adebayor for going down injured before the restart - he was taken off on a stretcher with the nature of his problem unclear.

United came back from two goals down to beat Hull on Boxing Day and they searched for an equaliser as Januzaj curled wide and then crossed low for substitute Hernandez, whose flick was saved by Lloris.

Frustration grew as Januzaj was booked for diving by referee Howard Webb after a challenge by Danny Rose.

Rooney and Vidic then came close to grabbing an equaliser and the United players also demanded a penalty when Lloris appeared to collide with substitute Ashley Young in the area, but their evening ended in disappointment.

Substitution

Delay in match Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham Hotspur) because of an injury.

Goal!

Posted at67'

Goal! Manchester United 1, Tottenham Hotspur 2. Danny Welbeck (Manchester United) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Adnan Januzaj with a through ball.

Goal!

Posted at66'

Goal! Manchester United 0, Tottenham Hotspur 2. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.